Respect
Aretha Franklin Lyrics
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Baby, I got it
What you need
Do you know I got it?
All I'm askin'
Is for a little respect when you get home (just a little bit)
Hey baby (just a little bit) when you get home
(Just a little bit) mister (just a little bit)
I ain't gonna do you wrong while you're gone
Ain't gonna do you wrong 'cause I don't wanna
All I'm askin'
Is for a little respect when you come home (just a little bit)
Baby (just a little bit) when you get home (just a little bit)
Yeah (just a little bit)
I'm about to give you all of my money
And all I'm askin' in return, honey
Is to give me my propers
When you get home (just a, just a, just a, just a)
Yeah, baby (just a, just a, just a, just a)
When you get home (just a little bit)
Yeah (just a little bit)
Ooh, your kisses
Sweeter than honey
And guess what?
So is my money
All I want you to do for me
Is give it to me when you get home (re, re, re, re)
Yeah baby (re, re, re, re)
Whip it to me (respect, just a little bit)
When you get home, now (just a little bit)
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Find out what it means to me
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Take care, TCB
Oh (sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me)
A little respect (sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me)
Whoa, babe (just a little bit)
A little respect (just a little bit)
I get tired (just a little bit)
Keep on tryin' (just a little bit)
You're runnin' out of fools (just a little bit)
And I ain't lyin' (just a little bit)
(Re, re, re, re) when you come home
(Re, re, re, re) 'spect
Or you might walk in (respect, just a little bit)
And find out I'm gone (just a little bit)
In Aretha Franklin's iconic song, "Respect," the lyrics convey a message of empowerment and demand for respect. The song's opening lines immediately grab the listener's attention, as Franklin declares that she has what her partner wants and needs, but all she's asking for in return is a little respect when he gets home. The repetition of the phrase "just a little bit" is significant and emphasizes the notion that respect isn't an unreasonable request.
As the song progresses, Franklin establishes that she's faithful to her partner and won't "do him wrong," but she still expects to be treated with respect. Her line "I'm about to give you all of my money, and all I'm askin' in return, honey, is to give me my propers when you get home," reaffirms a traditional gender role of a woman who stayed home while the man went out to make a living, and he must recognize and appreciate her contribution to their household.
The chorus of the song includes the now-famous acronym for "Respect," and Franklin spells it out to emphasize its importance. The phrase "Take care, TCB" refers to "Takin' care of business," which was slang in that era for doing what needed to be done to take care of one's responsibilities.
Line by Line Meaning
What you want
Tell me what you desire
Baby, I got it
I have what you're looking for
What you need
What else do you require?
Do you know I got it?
Are you aware that I have it?
All I'm askin'
My request is not too much
Is for a little respect when you get home (just a little bit)
I need some acknowledgement and admiration from you when you return
Hey baby (just a little bit) when you get home
Hello dear, please give me that small amount of consideration when you arrive
(Just a little bit) mister (just a little bit)
Just a small amount of respect, sir
I ain't gonna do you wrong while you're gone
I won't betray you while you're away
Ain't gonna do you wrong 'cause I don't wanna
I don't want to hurt you intentionally
Is for a little respect when you come home (just a little bit)
Please acknowledge my worth when you return, even if it's only a little
Baby (just a little bit) when you get home (just a little bit)
My dear, even a small amount of respect would be appreciated upon your arrival
Yeah (just a little bit)
Just a bit of respect is sufficient
I'm about to give you all of my money
I am prepared to give you all of my wealth
And all I'm askin' in return, honey
The only thing I'm requesting in exchange, my love
Is to give me my propers
Is to recognize and acknowledge my worth
When you get home (just a, just a, just a, just a)
Please don't forget to show me the respect I deserve when you come home
Yeah baby (just a, just a, just a, just a)
That's right dear, only a little bit
When you get home (just a little bit)
When you come back, please give me what I ask for
Yeah (just a little bit)
Only a small amount of respect is necessary
Ooh, your kisses
Your affectionate embraces
Sweeter than honey
Are sweeter than the taste of honey
And guess what?
I have a surprising revelation
So is my money
My wealth is just as sweet as your kisses
All I want you to do for me
My desire is simple
Is give it to me when you get home (re, re, re, re)
Please hand over my property when you arrive
Yeah baby (re, re, re, re)
That's right dear, that's all I need
Whip it to me (respect, just a little bit)
Hand it over promptly, accompanied with a touch of respect
When you get home, now (just a little bit)
Now, upon arriving at home, only a small token of respect is required
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Spelling out the word respect
Find out what it means to me
You should discover the significance of respect in my life
Take care, TCB
Please take care and especially adhere to your responsibilities
Oh (sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me)
Interjection of enthusiasm
A little respect (sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me)
Just need a bit of respect and appreciation
Whoa, babe (just a little bit)
My dear, it's just a small amount of respect required
A little respect (just a little bit)
Only a token of respect is necessary
I get tired (just a little bit)
My fatigue is not great, only a little bit
Keep on tryin' (just a little bit)
Please keep exerting effort, even if it's only a small amount
You're runnin' out of fools (just a little bit)
You're starting to have limited choices
And I ain't lyin' (just a little bit)
I'm telling the truth, which is just a small amount of respect is all that's needed
(Re, re, re, re) when you come home
Remember to give me the recognition I deserve when you return
(Re, re, re, re) 'spect
Please show me respect
Or you might walk in (respect, just a little bit)
Otherwise, you may return only to find me gone, having given me only a small amount of respect
And find out I'm gone (just a little bit)
You may discover I have left, having given me only a little token of respect
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: Otis Redding
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@noahguzman5695
her song is now the number 1 song on rolling stone top 500 greatest songs of all time.
@AdamSandaver
and so it should be
@jamesvancam
@@AdamSandaver it's not my #1, but a great song regardless.
@AdamSandaver
@@jamesvancam nobody cares if its your personal number one. But it won the vote by the music industry, i'd say they carry more weight than you when it comes to musical opinions...
@jamesvancam
@@AdamSandaver did I say anyone cares? I just gave my subjective opinion. Now stfu, I gave the song praise and props yet u disregard. Btw, Rollin Stone's sucks, have you seen their top 100 guitarist? Embarrassing like you.
@AdamSandaver
@@jamesvancam the only fool embarrassing themselves here is you ....keep it up..
@musicrocksoffical
Her voice could cut through solid rock. It’s incredible.
@mathewgladstone1713
Yup. Nobody gets near her and I don't think ever will. Can't understand why everybody holds a woman I aint gonna mention up as high as they do. Obviously no taste. The attitude Aretha had, the softness, the tone, just the f#%$*£g voice!
@jmarsh5485
legend has it that her voice is more unforgiving than diamond
@daralucchesi4936
@@jmarsh5485b😅